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BayCare Health Care Navigators Offer Free Assistance

Managed Care Weekly Digest

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Managed Care Weekly Digest -- With the status of the Affordable Care Act changing daily, BayCare Health System in west central Florida wants to help consumers understand their options. BayCare's Health Care Navigators are available to assist (see also BayCare Health System).

"Affordable health insurance is essential to improving the health of any community," said Keri Eisenbeis, director of Government Relations and Community Outreach for BayCare. "A lot of people are receiving care who didn't have access to it before the Affordable Care Act. More than 1.7 million Floridians currently receive coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Some people may be uncertain about whether the Marketplace still exists after various efforts by Congress this year to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. We can assure our communities that the Marketplace is still here and will be open for business on Nov. 1."

Open Enrollment for 2018 health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace begins Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15. "It is important for the public to know that the enrollment period was reduced from three months to just 45 days this year," Eisenbeis said.

Coverage begins Jan. 1, 2018, if people are enrolled and premiums are paid by Dec. 15. BayCare Health Care Navigators are available to offer free, one-on-one assistance to help anyone understand their options and enroll in a plan. They are trained to provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance, the Health Insurance Marketplace, qualified health plans and public programs, including Medicaid and Florida KidCare. Services are available year round to anyone seeking affordable health care in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties.